Coccidioidomycosis

Coccidioidomycosis, or "Valley fever," is a disease caused by the fungus Coccidioides spp. , found in the soil of  arid areas. The disease is acquired by inhalation of fungal conidia from dust found in ambient air or generated by soil-disrupting human activities or natural disasters.

In endemic areas, persons may be at increased risk for disease if they participate in, or are present during, activities that disturb the ground and result in exposure to dust, including construction, landscaping, mining, agriculture, archaeologic excavation, military maneuvers, and recreational pursuits such as dirt biking. However, cases may also occur after travel to an endemic area in the absence of these exposures. Natural events such as earthquakes or windstorms that result in generation of dust clouds increase the risk of exposure. Coccidioidomycosis is not transmitted from person to person.

Although complete prevention of infection is not possible, travellers can decrease their risk by limiting their exposure to outdoor dust in endemic areas. Dust-control measures that include wetting soil before disturbing the earth may be effective. Other protective measures aimed at reducing exposure to dust such as wearing well-fitted dust masks capable of filtering particles as small as 0.4 µm and using vehicles with enclosed, air-conditioned cabs can provide added protection for those with high occupational exposure to dust. No effective vaccine for coccidioidomycosis is currently available.

Risk of Coccidioidomycosis is present in the following countries:

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Colombia
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Paraguay
• United States of America
• Venezuela